Tech getting closer to reality of world-class research facility

Texas Tech came closer Wednesday to $13 million in federal funding for its Institute for Environmental and Human Health and the university's efforts at biological and chemical countermeasures.

A total of $16 million for two separate initiatives was appropriated.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense approved $3 million for the institute and $13 million for the National Center for Countermeasures to Biological and Chemical Threats, $10 million of which would go through Tech.

Tech will split its $10 million with the University of Texas, its partner in countermeasure research, Schmidly said. The remaining $3 million will go to the University of Southern Florida.

The main facility for the center will be housed at Reese Center.

''This is the largest federal investment in West Texas research in memory, and I believe these are the building blocks for job-producing, world-class research facilities in Lubbock,'' said U.S. Rep. Larry Combest, R-Lubbock.

Tech's vice president for research, David Schmidly, echoed Combest's comments on economic impact, saying ''You can't imagine how much money this is.

''Even with the simplest economic multiplier $3.82 that's $50 million,'' he said. ''That's just people going to 7-Eleven and out to the mall. That's not including the intellectual property.''

The $13 million, which still must pass through a House and Senate conference committee before final approval by both branches, would be used for research into preventing and containing biological terrorism, according to a release issued by Combest's office.

''Developments in the U.S. and the international community, military populations, and the expertise from the scientists and the innovative technology that will be available at this research center will be invaluable to protect our nation,'' Combest said.

The threat of biological or chemical attack and the lack of U.S. preparedness for it has become the focus of a number of recent conferences involving the country's best scientists.

A national commission formed to address the possibility released a 265-page doomsday report Wednesday spelling out the fears of such weaponry, according to reports from The Associated Press.

''We're not prepared at all. It's one of the most serious issues to come down the pike,'' said Schmidly, who predicted that more money would be appropriated to deal with the threat. ''This partnership (with UT) positions us to receive more government contracts.''

Schmidly said he isn't ''breaking out the champagne yet'' in regard to Wednesday's announcement from Washington, but said, ''If you don't get in this round, you're not in the boxing match.''

''We've got a lot of people who believe that Reese (Center) is the best place to do this research,'' he said. ''There's no telling how many people put forth proposals.''

To make it this far ''places (Tech) at the forefront of universities doing research on current issues,'' Schmidly said. ''We are proud that Texas Tech should be considered for this.''

Kara Altenbaumer can be contacted at 766-8742 or kaltenbaumer@lubbockonline.com